Philosophy 2011 press.princeton.edu contents 3 princeton foundations of contemporary philosophy 4 general interest 12 princeton monographs in philosophy 14 history of philosophy 18 aesthetics 19 moral & political philosophy 26 mind, language, science & logic 28 søren kierkegaard 29 isaiah berlin 30 of related interest Forthcoming PaPerback With a new afterword by the author the expanding circle e, thics evolution, and moral Progress Peter singer “Singer’s theory of the expanding circle remains an enormously insightful concept, which reconciles the existence of human nature with political and moral progress. it was also way ahead of its time. it’s wonderful to see this insightful book made available to a new generation of readers and scholars.” —Steven Pinker, author of The Blank Slate and The Stuff of Thought “The Expanding Circle is a brilliant book whose significance becomes clearer every year. Peter Singer was the first major philosopher to see the importance of the new Darwinian insights into human nature, and in this book he applies them with characteristic power and grace.” —robert Wright, author of The Moral Animal What is ethics? Where do moral standards come from? are they based on emotions, reason, or some innate sense of right and wrong? For many scientists, the key lies entirely in biol- ogy—especially in Darwinian theories of evolution and self-preservation. but if evolution is a struggle for survival, why are we still capable of altruism? in his classic study The Expanding Circle, Peter Singer argues that altruism began as a genetically based drive to protect one’s kin and community members but has developed into a consciously chosen ethic with an expanding circle of moral concern. Drawing on philosophy and evolutionary psychology, he demonstrates that human ethics cannot be explained by biology alone. Rather, it is our capacity for reasoning that makes moral progress possible. Peter Singer is the ira W. Decamp Professor of bioethics in the University center for human Values at Princeton University and Laureate Professor at the University of melbourne. June 2011. 200 pages. Pa: 978-0-691-15069-7 $17.95 | £12.50 b • category Forthcoming neW Braintrust s oul Dust Whatn euroscience tells Us about morality t he magic of consciousness Patricia s. churchland nicholas Humphrey “this is a terrific, clear, and finely sensitive ac- “Justs a fairy dust sprinkled on the mundane count of human moral and social behavior and world turns it to gold, soul dust converts animal its neurobiological—and decidedly secular— flesh into the enchanted world of sensation and underpinnings. Patricia churchland once again self-consciousness. the result is illusion, but the leads the way.” illusion in which we live. this challenging and —michael S. gazzaniga, author of Human: The original book combines scientific rigor and exqui- Science Behind What Makes Your Brain Unique site sensitivity to the thoughts of philosophers, poets, writers, religious thinkers, and humanists. a “Few areas of science are as relevant for the delightful and thought-provoking tour de force.” future of humanity as the science of morality, —Simon blackburn, author of Think: A Compelling and few scholars are as prepared to comment Introduction to Philosophy on its current status as Patricia churchland. She has exactly the right background to carve out how is consciousness possible? What biological an original approach to the problem, and the purpose does it serve? and why do we value it skills needed to lead the reader to solid new so highly? in Soul Dust, the psychologist nicholas facts while being merciless with exaggerated humphrey, a leading figure in consciousness claims and sloppy thinking. Braintrust is vintage research, proposes a startling new theory. con- churchland, only better.” sciousness, he argues, is nothing less than a mag- —antonio Damasio, author of Descartes’s Error ical-mystery show that we stage for ourselves inside our own heads. This self-made show lights What is morality? Where does it come from? and up the world for us and makes us feel special and why do most of us heed its call most of the time? transcendent. Thus consciousness paves the way in Braintrust, neurophilosophy pioneer Patricia for spirituality, and allows us, as human beings, to churchland argues that morality originates in the reap the rewards, and anxieties, of living in what biology of the brain. She describes the “neuro- humphrey calls the “soul niche.” biological platform of bonding” that, modified by evolutionary pressures and cultural values, has nicholas humphrey has held posts at oxford and led to human styles of moral behavior. The result cambridge universities, and is now professor is a provocative genealogy of morals that asks emeritus of psychology at the London School of us to reevaluate the priority given to religion, economics. absolute rules, and pure reason in accounting for 2011. 256 pages. 17 halftones. 1 table. the basis of morality. cl: 978-0-691-13862-6 $24.95 | £16.95 Not for sale in the Commonwealth (except Canada) Patricia S. churchland is professor emerita of phi- losophy at the University of california, San Diego, and an adjunct professor at the Salk institute. a pril 2011. 256 pages. 1 halftone. 11 line illus. cl: 978-0-691-13703-2 $24.95 | £16.95 b • category press.princeton.edu 1 neW not for Profit Why Democracy needs the humanities Martha c. nussbaum “[n i] advocating educational curriculums that recognize the worth of personal development and creative thought, this slim book is itself a small but decisive step in the effort to broaden and enrich current pedagogical practices.” —Publishers Weekly martha c. nussbaum is the ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and ethics in the Philosophy Department, Law School, and Divinity School at the University of chicago. The Public Square 2010. 184 pages. cl: 978-0-691-14064-3 $22.95 | £15.95 Forthcoming neW o n the currency of egalitarian A Political Philosophy in Public Life Justice, and other essays in civic republicanism in Zapatero’s Spain Political Philosophy José Luis Martí & Philip Pettit G. A. cohen “this is an exercise all too rare in contemporary edited by michael otsuka political philosophy, as Philip Pettit takes up the challenge to apply, develop, and sharpen his “g. a. cohen argues brilliantly for two important ideas about the republican tradition while evalu- and unfashionable ideas: that accidental inequal- ating the performance of the first government of ity is unjust and that poverty limits freedom. Spain’s José Luis rodríguez Zapatero. This book cohen’s essays reveal a wonderful mind in search does a very good job of drawing direct connec- of the fundamental truths about justice. here tions and revealing elective affinities between you have the mix of clarity and depth that marks Pettit’s neorepublican political theory and the philosophy at its apex.” trajectory of Zapatero’s politics both in route to —Joshua cohen, Stanford University and in government.” at the time of his death, g. a. cohen (1941–2009) —casiano hacker-cordón, centro de estudios held the Quain chair in Jurisprudence at Univer- Políticos y constitucionales, madrid sity college London. michael otsuka is professor José Luis martí is associate professor of law at of philosophy at University college London. Pompeu Fabra University in barcelona. Philip 2011. 288 pages. 4 tables. Pettit is the Laurance S. rockefeller University Pa: 978-0-691-14871-7 $24.95 | £16.95 cl: 978-0-691-14870-0 $85.00 | £59.00 Professor of Politics and human Values at Princ- eton University. 2010. 216 pages. 1 line illus. cl: 978-0-691-14406-1 $29.95 | £20.95 2 Princeton Foundations of contemporary Philosophy s cott soames, series editor this is a new series of state-of-the-art books, written by leading experts, about major areas of active research in contemporary philosophy. Providing high-level introductions for students and fresh perspectives for researchers, these books present new, unified visions of their subjects, from their recent history and leading themes to their most exciting new developments and most important unanswered questions. neW Forthcoming Philosophy of Language truth s cott soames Alexis G. Burgess & John P. Burgess “ sthis i a masterpiece. Scott Soames’s work on “Surveying an important and much-discussed these topics defines orthodoxy in contemporary field, and balancing the nature and logic-and- philosophy, and having that work distilled into a paradox sides of truth in an easy-to-grasp fash- single volume is enormously valuable.” ion, this book is a major achievement. it is easily —Jeff Speaks, University of notre Dame the best first step into truth studies available, but also an excellent short review for experts.” Scott Soames is professor of philosophy at the —Jc beall, University of connecticut University of Southern california. 2010. 200 pages. 4 line illus. alexis g. burgess is assistant professor of phi- cl: 978-0-691-13866-4 $21.95 | £14.95 losophy at Stanford University. John P. burgess is the John n. Woodhull Professor of Philosophy at neW Princeton University. Philosophy of Law a pril 2011. 176 pages. 1 table. cl: 978-0-691-14401-6 $22.95 | £15.95 Andrei Marmor “this superb book, written by one of the world’s Also by John P. Burgess foremost philosophers of law, is a highly wel- neW come addition to the jurisprudential literature, Philosophical Logic one marked by its immense pedagogical value and scholarly excellence.” “this is an excellent little book, and deserves —W. J. Waluchow, author of A Common Law wide success.” Theory of Judicial Review —alasdair Urquhart, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews andrei marmor is professor of philosophy, mau- rice Jones Jr. Professor of Law, and director of the Philosophical Logic addresses students new to center for Law and Philosophy at the University logic, philosophers working in other areas, and of Southern california.